June 21, 2012, Novato, California G. Steven Burrill, a pioneer of the biotechnology industry, and Jim Gerber, a co-founder of Western Athletic Clubs, joined the Buck Institute Board of Trustees effective June 18, 2012.

Burrill is founder and CEO of Burrill & Company, a diversified global financial services firm focused on the life sciences industry. He previously spent 28 years with Ernst & Young, directing and coordinating the firm's services to clients in the field of biotechnology, life sciences, high technology, and manufacturing worldwide. Burrill serves on the boards of numerous science, technology, and medical organizations, including AliveCor, Depomed, and Novadaq. He also serves on the boards of the National Science and Technology Medals Foundation the National Health Museum, the MIT Center for Biomedical Innovation, the Harvard Medical School Genetics Advisory Council, the NIH Scientific Management Review Board, and BIO Ventures for Global Health. In 2002, he was named to the Scientific American 50 in recognition for being a biotech investment visionary, and has been presented lifetime achievement awards for his leadership and contributions to the biotechnology industry globally from Scrip Intelligence, BayBio, and the Chemical Heritage Foundation.

Jim Gerber is a co-founder of Western Athletic Clubs, Inc. (WAC), the owner and operator of luxury athletic and health facilities throughout the West Coast. After founding WAC in 1976, Gerber served as president of the organization from 1985 to 2008, when the company was purchased by a private equity firm. Today he serves on WAC’s Board of Advisors. He is also the past president of the International Association of Club Owners.

“The research being done at the Buck Institute is exemplary and important,” said Burrill. “It’s an exciting time to be involved in aging research -- the Institute is at the forefront of efforts aimed at dealing with the challenges of an aging population. I look forward to supporting the work and nurturing industry partnerships and collaborations.”

“I heartily support the Buck Institute’s mission to extend healthspan, the healthy years of life,” said Gerber. “The Institute’s focus on preventing the diseases of aging is a perfect fit for my own interests. I am excited to get to know the scientists and to help advance the Institute’s visibility in the community.”

About the Buck Institute for Research on AgingThe Buck Institute is the U.S.’s first and foremost independent research organization devoted to Geroscience, focused on the connection between normal aging and chronic disease. Based in Novato, California, the Buck is dedicated to extending “Healthspan,” the healthy years of human life, and does so by utilizing a unique interdisciplinary approach involving laboratories studying the mechanisms of aging and others focused on specific diseases. Buck scientists strive to discover new ways of detecting, preventing and treating age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, cancer, cardiovascular disease, macular degeneration, diabetes and stroke. In their collaborative research, they are supported by the most recent developments in genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics. For more information: www.thebuck.org.